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Three

Happy 3rd Birthday Monkey. We miss you more than words can say. We'll be laying low today, but celebrating in our own little way. It's hard to believe just three years ago you entered this world. It seems like a whole lifetime ago. You made us parents and changed us forever, in which we'll be forever grateful. I so desperately wish we had been preparing for a big Birthday party at our house tonight, but instead, your little brother and I went and decorated your headstone yesterday. Your dad and I will be thinking of you, and hoping you've never been happier.

Joseph Smith rightly taught:

"The mother who laid down her little child, being deprived of the privilege, the joy, and the satisfaction of bringing it up to manhood or womanhood in this world, would, after the resurrection, have all the joy, satisfaction, and pleasure, and even more than it would have been possible to have had in mortality, in seeing her child grow to the full measure of stature of it's spirit...When she does it there, it will be with the certain knowledge that the results will be without failure; whereas here, the results are unknown until after we have passed the test."

All my thoughts and prayers are with you and I've been thinking of you all week long, knowing this day was coming. I wanted to do something special for your family but had a hard time knowing what to do. I settled on a simple card and a little gift for Ledger. It should arrive on Monday. I hope you have a good family day and can cherish all your beautiful memories of you sweet Preslee. Love Amy, David & Family.

I've never met you Ahsley but you are such a big source of comfort and inspiration to me. I think you are amazing, and I know Preslee is so proud of you and how far you've come and your eternal perspective on life.

Ashley, The flowers look absolutely gorgeous with Preslee's white headstone and little Ledger being right there close to her with his cute smile just melts my heart. I hope that you and pat can remember how incredible you both felt that moment Preslee entered into your lives, three years ago a very sweet Angel was given to you. Hold on to all these precious feelings and memories and celebrate her birthday with love. Thank you for the quot from Joseph Smith, it really helped me as well in just knowing that if we live the way our Heavenly Father wants us to, rich blessing are in store. My prayers are with you this day.

Ashley and Pat,You don't know me or my family, but we came across your blog through a friend. I have followed your story every since the accident and have felt very close to you guys. We have a little guy that shares a birthday with Preslee and I couldn't help but think yesterday that you too would have been celebrating your little 3yr old. my heart ached for you. I don't know what it is like to loose a child but I do know that you are a very blessed couple and have found strength. You inspire me to find the joy in little things with my 3 munchkins, sometimes life takes the fast track and we need to slow down and enjoy every moment as we don't know when our time is near. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are always with you. You have inspired so many people and it still amazes me as to the power of your little girls spirit. Happy Birthday Preslee.

Ashley, this post brought tears to my eyes. You are a woman of such strong faith and courage and such an example to me. There is seriously not a day that goes by that I don't think of you and send a prayer your way. Any time I go to hug my little ones, I hug them a little longer and a little tighter. Thank you for being so strong in the gospel and for posting little details in your life. You are an example to many. Preslee and your incredible family are changing peoples lives everyday. Thank you. Happy Birthday Preslee!

Happy Birthday Little Preslee! I am sure she spent every moment with you Ashley. The words you shared by Joseph Smith are truly comforting and an amazing promise. These words from Ezra Taft Benson cam to mind while reading this “the spirit world is not far away. Sometimes the veil between this life and the life beyond becomes very thin. Our loved ones who have passed on are not far from us.” and Brigham Young taught us that the Spirit World is right here, on Earth. I don't know if these words help but for some reason I felt I should share them. You are still in my prayers and I hope that your Christmas is an amazing one.

Happy Birthday sweet, little Preslee. The flowers on the headstone look beautiful. I love that quote, so comforting to those who had to say goodbye to a child. My heart breaks for your family. I'm often surprised how hard I can cry over a family I've never met. I feel like I know you. :) I hope your family has a very Merry Christmas.

That doctrine that Joseph Smith taught IS a comfort...35 years ago, one of my little brothers died in a drowning accident when he was 3. My parents STILL lean on, and are comforted by, that doctrine. Peace and comfort to you and your family.

Hold fast to those promises, Ashley. Your little guy looks so happy - that cute smile - like he knows something we don't. I think he probably does. He would probably tell you so many amazing and wonderful things about his sister if he could. BUT.....I think that is why little ones can't talk. I pray you will have a wonderful joyous Christmas. I know you have a great family, a sweet husband and your adorable little son to help you through each day. You are an amazing woman who has made a difference in many lives. Mary from SLC

Thank you for your sweet comment about Brady's birthday. I just had to tell you that sitting in the hospital on Saturday, I kept thinking of Preslee and how he was born on her birthday. I know that we don't "really" know each other but your sweet little girl touched my heart and soul. I have looked at her picture so many times with hte 12/17/08 underneath and I think that it's just amazing that my sweet rainbow baby (that we waited for 3 years to be blessed with) was born on such a special date.

I just your story on the Time Out for Women website and then more here on your blog. I am truly touched by your story in many ways. I admire you for the your faith and your ability to learn and hold on in it all. My heart goes out to you and your family. My family know very well how difficult the month of December can be. In May of 2004 we lost my dear niece, my eldest sister's youngest to SIDS. She too was born on December 17 (in 2003). In the short time that we got to spend with her, she touch and every one of our hearts. Your blog posts have helped to be able to look at things in a different perspective - Thank you!

Hi, we're the Sullengers! Life turned upside down for us in 2010 when we lost our daughter in an accidental drowning. Since then, we've documented our highs (life with all five of our kids) and our lows (struggles with grief) but amongst everthing we've experienced, we know as long as we hold on to one another we can get through anything that comes our way. Read More. . .